EU Users: Should You Register on OKX with Phone Number or Email? Both Are Required
For EU users registering on OKX, you can't choose between email and phone number—both must be bound. The registration process mandates that you bind both your email and phone number; neither is optional. Once registration is complete, you can use either to log in, with little difference.
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Why Are EU Registration Requirements Different from Other Regions?
OKX's services in the EU are operated by its Malta-based entity (OKX Europe Limited), which holds a MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license. MiCA requires platforms to conduct more rigorous multi-channel identity verification, so during registration, both email and phone number must be collected, rather than letting users choose one.
From July 1, 2026, any exchange without a MiCA license will be unable to serve EU users. OKX is one of the first global exchanges to obtain a MiCA license, and its compliance requirements are stricter than those in non-EU regions.
Steps
Prerequisites: Have an email address that can receive emails (international providers like Gmail or Outlook are recommended), and a mobile phone number from an EU member state that can receive SMS (e.g., +49 for Germany, +33 for France, +34 for Spain; the country code must correspond to your country of residence).
On the App:
Open the OKX app, tap [Sign Up], and select your country/region of residence (e.g., Germany, France).
Read and agree to the Terms of Service, Risk & Compliance Disclosure, and Privacy Policy Statement, then tap [Create Account].
Enter your email address and referral code (optional), then tap [Sign Up].
Enter the verification code sent to your email.
Add a mobile number (the country code is pre-filled based on the country selected in step one), then tap [Next].
Enter the SMS verification code sent to your mobile number to complete registration.
On the Web:
Go to the OKX official website (www.okx.com) and click [Sign Up].
Select your country/region of residence, agree to the relevant agreements, and click [Sign Up].
Enter your email and referral code (optional), then click [Sign Up].
Enter the email verification code.
Add your mobile number (country code auto-matched), then click [Verify Now].
Enter the SMS verification code to complete registration.
Success Criteria: You'll see a "registration successful" message, and in the [Security Settings] you'll see both "Email Verified" and "Phone Number Verified" statuses.
Key Reminders
Information Consistency: The country/region selected during registration, the phone country code, and your identity document must all correspond to the same EU member state. If you register with Germany and +49, your KYC must use a German passport or residence card.
One Account per Number: Each mobile number and email address can only be used for one OKX account.
No Funds Operations Without KYC: After registration, you must complete identity verification (KYC); otherwise, trading, deposits, withdrawals, lending, and fund transfers will be unavailable.
Common Reasons for Failure
Not Receiving Verification Codes: Check the spam folder of your email; check if SMS blocking is enabled on your phone; confirm that your phone can receive international SMS.
Country Code and Phone Number Mismatch: The auto-matched country code is usually correct, but if you manually changed the country/region, make sure the code matches the actual country of your phone number.
Email or Phone Number Already in Use: If the system says "email already registered" or "phone number already bound", that information is linked to another account. If it's an old account of yours, you may look into merging; otherwise, recheck the number or verify that it hasn't been used by someone else.
Risk Warnings
Registration Country/IP Mismatch May Trigger Risk Controls: If you select Germany but your IP appears to be from Asia, the platform may flag unusual activity. Using a VPN to change your IP to an EU country can help, but the IP's country should match your registered country of residence.
Your Rights Are Protected Under MiCA: On OKX's EU platform, your assets are held in segregated accounts (separate from the platform's own funds), the platform publishes monthly Proof of Reserves (PoR), and you have the right to file complaints for free through 24/7 customer support. These are legal rights granted to EU users by MiCA, not platform perks.
Travel Rule: Starting December 30, 2024, the EU requires platforms to collect and transfer the names and wallet addresses of both sender and receiver for every transaction. Transfers to wallets that cannot provide this information may be delayed or rejected.
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Confirming Completion
After successful registration, log into your account and go to [Security Settings] to confirm both email and phone number show a "verified" status. If you're prompted to complete KYC afterward, do it right away—otherwise fund operations will remain locked.
Next, prepare your EU passport or residence card and submit your information on the [Identity Verification] page. Review typically takes 1–3 business days; once approved, your account will be fully functional.
